Finance committee  To my knowledge, no, I don't believe so.

Finance committee  There is no program recognized by the government.

Finance committee  Yes, sir.

Finance committee  We have a science centre within our facility. The Manitoba Museum encompasses a science centre, a planetarium, and a museum. As a result, we are a member of the Canadian Association of Science Centres, and we participate in their programs.

Finance committee  There's a five-year, $40-million request from the Canadian association that is basically trying to get a science and technology budget, effectively, allocated to allow us to provide the programs and to develop this technology.

Finance committee  Yes, it's cross-Canada.

Finance committee  Certainly the communication of that obviously is a benefit. The more we can communicate the needs of the foundations, or actually that the foundations in fact exist, out to potential donors.... Some of the issues relative to that are when you have a small foundation grant, it's very often tough to allocate your minuscule resources and the interest thereon to promotion of that foundation, which becomes somewhat problematic.

Finance committee  The grant you're referring to is under the museums assistance program, and is to develop a travelling exhibit that we're hoping to put together. It has been a benefit to us. To expand on how the program works, basically the federal government will grant us money on the proviso that we also allocate a proportion of our own dollars to that program, and others that we can achieve.

Finance committee  It's called “First Nations, First Farmers”, and it's actually developed by our archaeological curatorial. They're developing a travelling exhibit that explores the farming that occurred by first nations in the Manitoba region--obviously spilling into Ontario and Saskatchewan--plus the implements, etc., that were used, based on findings that have been made in the field.

Finance committee  Good afternoon. My name is Blake Forbes, and I'm the director of finance and operations of the Manitoba Museum. Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you today. Located in Winnipeg, the Manitoba Museum encompasses three distinct program areas--a museum, science centre, and planetarium--all within the one facility.